The Best 10 Pairs of Compression Pants for Basketball

If you, like many guys, have recently come down with a killer case of March Madness, so you’re probably ready to hit the courts for your very own Sweet Sixteen. But as much fun as it is to shoot hoops with your buddies, there’s no doubt that basketball makes for a hardcore workout. After all, you need speed, agility, endurance and strength to be able to rise above the lane.

If you’re serious about your game, consider throwing on some compression pants under your gym shorts. These tighter-than-normal leggings can boost blood circulation to your hard-working muscles, helping reduce muscle fatigue during your game then help to speed up recovery afterwards. Some compression pants even come with targeted support that adds stability to vulnerable spots, like knees and calves.

Take your game—and recovery—to the next round of the bracket with one of these pairs.

With sweat-wicking, stay-cool technology and strategically-placed ventilation panels, these compression tights are perfect for outdoor games. You’ll get a second-skin fit, with compression that hugs without squeezing.

Though they're on the pricey side, these 2XU’s offer more than your standard pair of compression pants. These feature graduated compression on the thighs designed to ease the load on your knees, as well as reduce muscle strain in the calves, making them perfect for times when you need to pivot and sprint to the hoop. Plus, the compression will reduce muscle soreness and speed recovery.

These 3/4-cut compression tights feature temperature-regulating fabric to keep you dry and comfortable, plus UPF 50+ protection for your outdoor games. You’ll also get targeted support for the lower back, knees and core for added stability.

These Jordan brand tights are built for the court, using Dri-FIT tech you'll find in other Nike products. The sleek leggings have perforated sections for air flow and strategically positioned seams for a lock-down, comfortable fit.

With targeted compression, this pair of CompressionZ pants will boost blood flow to your lower limbs, helping you play harder and recover faster. They’re also made with anti-itch, anti-odor, sweat-wicking nylon spandex fabric to keep you dry, fresh and comfortable.

For the guy on a budget, these all-season compression tights will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The smooth, lightweight fabric offers compression without restriction, helping increase blood circulation to reduce muscle fatigue.

These Amazon best-sellers offer all-season performance-boosting features at a price that’s hard to beat. If you’re tired of basic black and grey, these pants come in a variety of colors. Order up a size if you don’t want an “extreme compression fit.”

This pair of second-skin compression tights feature graduated compression to move blood to your hardest-working muscles, helping you play longer and harder. The manufacturer also claims these tights reduce muscle vibration during play, lowering your chances of muscle strain and injury, while speeding up recovery.

Lauren BedoskyLauren Bedosky is a freelance health and fitness writer who specializes in covering running and strength training topics.

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